Thanet District Council, Cllr Driver from TIG to IG another shift in the imbalance of power?

Sitting here doodling and trying - like the rest of those interested in whether anything our district council does politically will have any significant effect on our lives – to work out if this latest shift actually signifies anything much.

I guess the most immediate aspect will be which of the two members of IG Cllr Driver or Cllr King will remain on the scrutiny panel. A note for beginners here the members of scrutiny are proportionate to the size of each group, so someone has to go from IG and I am not sure how the rules would work with TIG now it is down to only two members.

Another obvious question is would Cllr Driver, who I consider to be of the socialist persuasion use his position in IG to oust the Labour administration and give the leadership to the Conservatives.

Cllr Simon Moores has posted about this on his blog, see http://birchington.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/bye-tig-hello-tom.html there is a marvelous comment there, here is the critical quote:

“Maybe Cllr Driver has realised, at last, that he has been used as a porn in Cllr. Cohen's push for power and authority.”

I do get the feeling that some of our political movers and shakers are beginning to practice adding to the internet by commenting anonymously on the blogs, in the expectation that the internet may be a factor in the next election.

Dyslexia, lack of education stupidity all seem to be playing their part in this one, in my case a total lack of primary school education combined with typing this while three of my children make lots of noise means it provably won’t make much sense.

I emailed Ian Driver, for the whys and wherefores:

Hi Ian I have just had a press release from John Worrow saying you have left TIG and joined IG which I have published as it is confirmed on one TDC website.

Can you let me have any further info for publication?

Best regards Michael

Hi Michael

I resigned from the TIG as a direct result of the e-mail below (please feel fee to publish). I could not remain a member of group which was in effect trying to gag me and prevent me from raising issues of public interest.

thanks

Ian

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: JACK COHEN

To: Ian Driver

Cc: John Worrow

Sent: Friday, 14 December 2012, 18:46

Subject: Fwd: FULL COUNCIL 6th DECEMBER 2012 CRITICISM OF CHAIRMAN'S VOTE 21.2 CONSTITUTION TDC ETC.

Dear Ian ,

We are most unhappy, uncomfortable and concerned with your presentations at the Full Council Meeting of TDC 6th December 2012.

We  feel that the almost monotonous recurrence of various provocative events, that you engineer, are harmful to our group and personal reputations as well as the stability of our Council in which we  play vital roles and owe our loyalty to ensure that normal business is able to continue . Anything less becomes irresponsible.

Earlier in our association, we agreed that any controversial policy statements would be the subject of discussion amongst all three of us prior to any action or publication.

Unfortunately you have not honoured our agreement.

Naturally, this is an unacceptable practice and should it reoccur, you will automatically eliminate yourself from our group.

With best wishes,

We remain,

Sincerely,

Jack Cohen and John Worrow.